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Review, 2024

What are the most effective treatments for PMDD?

According to this literature review, SSRIs (antidepressants) and cognitive-behavioral therapy are the most commonly recommended first-line treatments. Birth control pills with drospirenone are also effective.

Strong study design Literature review of various studies on PMDD treatments (no new participants)

What they did

Literature review of 32 articles published between June and July 2021 from databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane. Researchers searched for information on drug and psychotherapy treatments for PMDD and their effectiveness.

What they found

SSRIs are first-line treatment with these dose ranges: sertraline 50-150 mg per day, fluoxetine 10-20 mg per day, escitalopram 10-20 mg per day, paroxetine 12.5-25 mg per day. Birth control pills with drospirenone are first or second line treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy showed positive results in reducing the functional impact of PMDD.

What it means for you

Women with PMDD have several evidence-based treatment options including medications and therapy. SSRIs are the primary drug choice recommended. This review synthesizes existing research but only searched literature through July 2021, so recent studies may be missed.

32

articles reviewed

50-150 mg/day

sertraline dose range

10-20 mg/day

fluoxetine dose range

About the study

Original title
[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Drug and psychotherapeutique management, a literature review]
Authors
Marais-Thomas H, Chapelle F, de Vaux-Boitouzet V et al.
Journal
L'Encephale
Year
2024
Study design
Review
What was tested
SSRIs, drospirenone birth control, and cognitive behavioral therapy

Topics